Top 10 Inexpensive Home Selling Tips

Easy, Affordable Staging Tricks

Are you getting ready to sell your home? Are you fully prepared? Do you want to move or sell your property fast - and for the highest selling price possible? Well... you can with these 10 tips from Nick and Joe Santoro of Personal Property Managers. These easy, affordable staging tricks will help you sell your home and make your home attractive to the largest pool of potential buyers.

1. Don't for get to Paint!
Dollar for dollar, a fresh coat of paint gives you more bang for your decorating buck than anything else. Even if your current palette is relatively new, any scuffs or wear marks will channel an unkempt vibe. An unusual color choice - may limit your home's appeal. So break out that roller and slap on a couple coats of crowd-pleasing warm white or sand paint.

2. Improve your home's lighting
Replace any dated light fixtures ASAP. How can you tell if it has to go? If it's over 15 years old and looks it - yet isn't a vintage (50-75 years old) or antique piece (older) - it should probably go.

3. De-clutter and keep it clean
Take the collectibles off the mantel, put the mismatched armchair into storage (or better yet, donate it) and pare your closets down to what you're actually wearing this season, packing away the rest. Ideally, all this extra stuff would head to charity (if in good, saleable condition), the garbage dump, or into storage. The more you store onsite, the more cluttered and small your home appears.

4. Update your bathroom
A nice bath helps sell a house but, don't invest in a total renovation. A total bathroom make over is costly, and you won't recoup your costs. Bring an out-of-date bath up to speed with gleaming white walls whether via a fresh coat of white bath and kitchen paint or ceramic tile and new lighting. Buy neutral new shower curtains, a simple new bath mat and vanity set, and have fresh flowers in the room during open houses.

5. Remove old bulky curtains
Dated window treatments need to come down, pronto (if it's over 10 years old, get rid of it). Maximize natural light and make the room's dimensions seem more generous. Otherwise, buy basic-issue cotton or linen drapes from Linens ‘N Things or another well-priced retailer. Always tie drapes back during viewings and open houses.

6. Make your rooms look larger with mirrors
Make small rooms appear bigger and dark rooms seem brighter by adding an attractive wall mirror. A boxlike dining room will benefit from a leaning floor mirror and an entranceway more welcoming with a console mirror.

7. Update exterior hardware
Increase your home's curb appeal by updating the hardware on your front porch or your front door. Buy a doorknocker or bell, mailbox, kick plate, doorknob and lockset in a set or in complementary styles. Brushed nickel is a neutral finish that will never date, while oil-rubbed bronze is another favorite.

8. Brighten up your porch or entrance way
Update your porch light to coordinate with the new hardware, if needed. They don't have to be an exact match or even come from the same period, but the finishes and styles should look pleasing together.

9. Spiff up the front yard
Refresh your front yard according to the season. In spring, summer and fall, trim back dead plants and foliage and plant attractive annuals or perennials in flowerbeds. In winter, keep the walkway shoveled and cut back any tree or shrub branches damaged by heavy snowfall. A pair of planters flanking the front door and filled with seasonal arrangements instantly conveys pride of ownership.

10. Spruce up your backyard
Simple fix-its will make the most of your existing yard layout. Replace
any damaged boards on your deck or fence, and apply a fresh coat of
paint, or stain and sealant if the finish needs it. Weed and groom
your garden and add some perennials for color when in-season. If kids'
toys are taking over the space, put some in storage. Think “tidy,”
“update” and “refresh”: never do anything
costly or major like adding a swimming pool or pond, which may put
off potential buyers.

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For more information on real estate or home downsizing please contact Nick Santoro or Joe Santoro of Personal Property Managers at 215-485-9272 or 908-368-1909. Personal Property Managers specializes in helping home owners transition from their home of many years into a new community. Personal Property Managers services Pennsylvania and New Jersey and offers downsizing services, estate sales services, home staging, discount full service real estate services via its association with EveryHome Realty. Learn more about Personal Property Managers from our recent News Stories.